tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35145929236684861342016-09-07T23:30:51.347-05:00Swirling TreeKatyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04495552422575832925noreply@blogger.comBlogger168125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3514592923668486134.post-16467805514717610932012-01-08T13:45:00.003-06:002012-01-08T14:00:08.916-06:00Valentines<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M-3SzelokxY/TwnzpUvaUtI/AAAAAAAABME/8N9aQtb75AA/s1600/valentines3.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eQDjVGutja0/TwnzpTqSEeI/AAAAAAAABL8/5R-b3Vf3e08/s1600/woolheartbluegreen4.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 335px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eQDjVGutja0/TwnzpTqSEeI/AAAAAAAABL8/5R-b3Vf3e08/s400/woolheartbluegreen4.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695351094764507618" /></a><br />Christmas is lovely and now we've already moved on to Valentine's Day!<div><br /></div><div>I think all of the un-decking of the halls leaves the home a little blah, so we need to throw some hearts up for a little color. </div><div><br /></div><div>Hint, hint.</div><div><br /></div><div>I made a felted wool heart mobile for my mom for Christmas (hearts aren't only for Valentine's Day, of course) and everyone loved it so I made a few more for my <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/swirlingtree?ref=seller_info">shop</a>. The hearts are sewn from felted wool sweaters. The various textures really make the mobiles lovely. My mom hung her mobile in between her living room and sunroom, and I have one hung against a wall. I think they would be lovely in a nursery, too.</div><div><br /></div><div>I hope to make more woolen items, but it is getting hard to find wool things in the thrift stores. I need to make a trip to "THE CITIES" (the all caps and quotes are for fans of The Church Basement Ladies) and look in the big huge thrift stores.</div><div><br /></div><div>Final bit of business: I was the lucky recipient of a NEW sewing machine from my in-laws (a Janome) which zipped right through my super bulky wool. I'm also using it to sew cute little fabric hearts onto pretty chocolate brown paper for valentines, also available in ye old <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/swirlingtree?ref=seller_info">shoppe</a>. </div><div><br /></div><div>Perhaps I will use this machine for some more "regular" type sewing, too. :)</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M-3SzelokxY/TwnzpUvaUtI/AAAAAAAABME/8N9aQtb75AA/s400/valentines3.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695351095054455506" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 318px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div>Katyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04495552422575832925noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3514592923668486134.post-19173148235095984582011-11-29T09:00:00.002-06:002011-11-29T09:12:20.762-06:00New Leather<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--Qr2rwgb2W4/TtTzy8fSm0I/AAAAAAAABLw/c_U_p3OA3aQ/s1600/leatherwide3.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 272px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--Qr2rwgb2W4/TtTzy8fSm0I/AAAAAAAABLw/c_U_p3OA3aQ/s400/leatherwide3.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5680433086577417026" /></a><div><div style="text-align: left;">The cyber world has officially taken over the Monday after Thanksgiving. I am thankful for all of my sales yesterday. Giving a 25% off discount really works. Awesome! </div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">After packaging up my orders late last night I finished 4 new leather journals. These have been sitting in my studio nearly finished for a few weeks as I waited for metal eyelets to arrive in the mail. I am adjusting to living in the country after living in St. Paul for a few years - there were so many art supplies stores within minutes before and now I need to plan ahead for a trip to the city or else figure out a way to get things online. I found these great metal eyelets in an Etsy shop. Did you know that Etsy has an entire category of art and craft supplies? It's a great way to find unique supplies as well as tried-and-true items. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>Katyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04495552422575832925noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3514592923668486134.post-67814231603081375572011-11-27T21:05:00.005-06:002011-11-27T21:22:01.412-06:00Cyber Monday<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:180%;">SALE SALE SALE!</span><div>Save 25% in <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/swirlingtree?ref=seller_info">my shop </a>on Cyber Monday when you use coupon code "<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:130%;">cyber25</span>" at the checkout!</div><div>WOOOOOOWEEEE! </div></div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-afKUbGvGLRg/TtL7OpI-jvI/AAAAAAAABKc/t1KIRXi48F0/s1600/electrictree.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 270px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-afKUbGvGLRg/TtL7OpI-jvI/AAAAAAAABKc/t1KIRXi48F0/s400/electrictree.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5679878309047865074" /></a><div>This was the view outside our patio door Friday morning. It's not exactly the red and green holiday colors you associate with this time of year but they certainly were intense. The lake was glowing pink. </div><div><br /></div><div>We enjoyed our "Black Friday" at home eating swedish pancakes, playing and working outside, organizing the barn, and feeling cozy inside our house with the early nightfall. It was great. No crowds around these parts.</div><div><br /></div><div>Hopefully everyone participated in "<a href="http://smallbusinesssaturday.com/">Small Business Saturday</a>" by supporting a favorite small business. It is wonderful to support local small businesses, but also those of us found on the web :). Etsy is great place for holiday shopping, so take some time to browse on "Cyber Monday." </div><div><br /></div><div>I decided to offer a pretty drastic discount on Monday. I have about 20 new brag books in my shop and quite a few hardcover albums and journals. </div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/swirlingtree?ref=seller_info">Happy Shopping!</a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Katyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04495552422575832925noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3514592923668486134.post-82148660977842092682011-09-22T11:39:00.003-05:002011-09-22T11:49:19.021-05:00Show!<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qSBr4xHo_7o/Tntmbc24XGI/AAAAAAAABKI/3AkZtUvS6Dg/s1600/fredrikandivy.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CkLIR_Ru5gE/Tntk-oEq_kI/AAAAAAAABKA/vdELj4U-1qw/s1600/showst.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CkLIR_Ru5gE/Tntk-oEq_kI/AAAAAAAABKA/vdELj4U-1qw/s400/showst.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5655224784165469762" /></a>What? Work? Me?<div><br /> <div>Well, not really. I am just getting things ready for an art show at<a href="http://levandowskipottery.com/levandowskipottery.com/Welcome.html"> Levandowski Pottery</a> in October. To my amazement, there were over 30 necklaces in my stash that I had yet to photograph. Huh, I guess I forgot with the new little one around. I will have brag books, albums, and journals there as well. I'm running short on leather journals but will try to make more before Christmas. </div><div><br /></div><div>I recently cleaned up my studio a bit. Since I haven't been using it much I moved my work table into the kitchen as an island. Basically, I do all of my creative work in the kitchen now - cooking that is. I am using our old August Earth sign as my work table now. So aesthetically pleasant.</div><div><br /></div><div>I am much more motivated to spend time in my studio now that things are out of boxes. I have collage on my mind, so hopefully this winter I have time to tinker with all of my mixed mediums that I've been collecting over the last 12 years. I want to start with some wall art for over our couch. Right now there is a painting I made in 10th grade in that spot. Yikes. I keep stashing it in the basement but it ends up back on the wall. The husband likes it. It's a tree in front of a pink and purple sunset. It is just so...pink and purple.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qSBr4xHo_7o/Tntmbc24XGI/AAAAAAAABKI/3AkZtUvS6Dg/s1600/fredrikandivy.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qSBr4xHo_7o/Tntmbc24XGI/AAAAAAAABKI/3AkZtUvS6Dg/s400/fredrikandivy.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5655226378882669666" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CkLIR_Ru5gE/Tntk-oEq_kI/AAAAAAAABKA/vdELj4U-1qw/s1600/showst.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CkLIR_Ru5gE/Tntk-oEq_kI/AAAAAAAABKA/vdELj4U-1qw/s1600/showst.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a></div></div>Katyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04495552422575832925noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3514592923668486134.post-31969838020828201532011-09-01T11:31:00.000-05:002011-09-01T12:43:59.862-05:00Bee in the Buckwheat<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vOA8apMIlmY/Tl_ERvOB9pI/AAAAAAAABJ4/uA_dwhQM43U/s1600/bee1.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vOA8apMIlmY/Tl_ERvOB9pI/AAAAAAAABJ4/uA_dwhQM43U/s400/bee1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5647448266758026898" /></a>
<br />Katyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04495552422575832925noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3514592923668486134.post-83511105789216324312011-08-21T18:45:00.005-05:002011-08-22T09:40:37.841-05:00Ivy!<div>Ivy is two weeks old today! She is doing well and she's ready for her blog debut. Here are some highlights of her life:</div><div>
<br /></div><div>Her last hours in the womb. Yes, I am in labor here. Obviously I'm between contractions.</div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7PykXBlC-LU/TlGaUKYREmI/AAAAAAAABJw/1wei2PrVl-c/s1600/ivybirth8.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7PykXBlC-LU/TlGaUKYREmI/AAAAAAAABJw/1wei2PrVl-c/s400/ivybirth8.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643461479246140002" /></a>And she's out:
<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CtSRXPEp2zI/TlGaOuE7CcI/AAAAAAAABJo/teUZpiofrF8/s1600/ivybirth7.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CtSRXPEp2zI/TlGaOuE7CcI/AAAAAAAABJo/teUZpiofrF8/s400/ivybirth7.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643461385749465538" /></a>Visit from GG:
<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oEgMl1MJvKA/TlGaOUg33wI/AAAAAAAABJg/KU0Dof-x2rI/s1600/ivybirth6.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oEgMl1MJvKA/TlGaOUg33wI/AAAAAAAABJg/KU0Dof-x2rI/s400/ivybirth6.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643461378887376642" /></a>Tiny hand:
<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WqIgPFJNoFQ/TlGaOA1tDfI/AAAAAAAABJY/F88xmJbhNSg/s1600/ivybirth3.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WqIgPFJNoFQ/TlGaOA1tDfI/AAAAAAAABJY/F88xmJbhNSg/s400/ivybirth3.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643461373606039026" /></a>Eyes!
<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aGbQiIIJi0Q/TlGaNzmr9kI/AAAAAAAABJQ/yXvlPiprDWk/s1600/ivybirth2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aGbQiIIJi0Q/TlGaNzmr9kI/AAAAAAAABJQ/yXvlPiprDWk/s400/ivybirth2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643461370053391938" /></a>FGH finally held her after she was home for a week:
<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DPYmYZ5CzsY/TlGaNchhk7I/AAAAAAAABJI/Mv54e1plDZU/s1600/ivybirth1.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DPYmYZ5CzsY/TlGaNchhk7I/AAAAAAAABJI/Mv54e1plDZU/s400/ivybirth1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643461363857724338" /></a>Well, the baby awakens. More later.
<br /><div>
<br /></div>Katyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04495552422575832925noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3514592923668486134.post-61795306861694437062011-08-07T11:40:00.003-05:002011-08-07T11:50:28.638-05:00New Website<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IfI0ltTrgqc/Tj7AUZN7U9I/AAAAAAAABJA/0Vky_-xy6lA/s1600/buckwheat.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IfI0ltTrgqc/Tj7AUZN7U9I/AAAAAAAABJA/0Vky_-xy6lA/s400/buckwheat.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638155240113656786" /></a>I have again started a new website/blog. I feel weird posting all this farm stuff on my "art" blog, so I've set up an <a href="http://web.me.com/peterhemberger/Site/August_Earth.html">August Earth </a>website again. Check it out! I have a handful of posts on the <a href="http://web.me.com/peterhemberger/Site/Blog/Blog.html">blog</a>, some <a href="http://web.me.com/peterhemberger/Site/Farm_Photos.html">farm photos,</a> and a ton of <a href="http://web.me.com/peterhemberger/Site/Recipes/Recipes.html">recipes</a> from our old CSA newsletters and some others I've discovered since then.<div><br /></div><div>I DO plan on making art still. It's just so wonderful to be working outside again. It being Minnesota and all I know that winter will come and it will be long, and my little art studio room will beckon me. Plus, I just signed up for an art show for the late fall which is a motivating factor to get some work made. </div><div><br /></div><div>No baby yet. I'm due. I don't want to think about it. It will happen eventually.</div><div><br /></div><div>Oh, the above photo captures the 3 acres of buckwheat that is just starting to flower in our field. It's so pretty. I <a href="http://web.me.com/peterhemberger/Site/Blog/Entries/2011/8/7_Buckwheat.html">blogged</a> about it. </div><div><br /></div><div>Happy August!<br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>Katyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04495552422575832925noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3514592923668486134.post-84442108796719678062011-07-15T21:29:00.003-05:002011-07-15T21:36:25.852-05:00Blubarb Pie<div><br /></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jb4j5FQP9HQ/TiD30w4WM4I/AAAAAAAABI4/E98iGV5MrNI/s1600/bluebarb1.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jb4j5FQP9HQ/TiD30w4WM4I/AAAAAAAABI4/E98iGV5MrNI/s400/bluebarb1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629772020059616130" /></a>We made a pie today! This is a feat, something I have not tried yet as a gluten-free citizen. We used a <a href="http://www.glutenfree.com/index.cfm/manufacturer/Gluten-Free-Pantry/126061M-___-Perfect-Pie-Crust.html">mix</a>. It worked pretty well and tasted super - 5 tablespoons each of butter and earth balance margarine. It's blubarb. FGH enjoyed it immensely. Actually, none of us really wanted to eat supper because we knew pie was coming. I think the crust might have covered a little better if we used something besides a play-doh rolling pin.<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VVyxSg4Mar0/TiD30cbQthI/AAAAAAAABIw/pZvXW3xaqJI/s1600/bluebarb2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VVyxSg4Mar0/TiD30cbQthI/AAAAAAAABIw/pZvXW3xaqJI/s400/bluebarb2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629772014568912402" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VqAtozdUBuU/TiD3z9wVHpI/AAAAAAAABIo/wfyBFxP9GmM/s1600/bluebarb3.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VqAtozdUBuU/TiD3z9wVHpI/AAAAAAAABIo/wfyBFxP9GmM/s400/bluebarb3.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629772006335782546" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CiskdtvS6lo/TiD3zT7ZROI/AAAAAAAABIg/a3O-shM5Fzs/s1600/bluebarb4.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CiskdtvS6lo/TiD3zT7ZROI/AAAAAAAABIg/a3O-shM5Fzs/s400/bluebarb4.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629771995107902690" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HqIs8qrEHcY/TiD3y2-0I2I/AAAAAAAABIY/bcbg3zi0wHY/s1600/bluebarb5.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HqIs8qrEHcY/TiD3y2-0I2I/AAAAAAAABIY/bcbg3zi0wHY/s400/bluebarb5.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629771987337618274" /></a>Katyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04495552422575832925noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3514592923668486134.post-66499627723066808522011-07-12T15:55:00.005-05:002011-07-12T16:53:58.250-05:00Growing<div><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bck0gA5CjWA/Thy3j_akOYI/AAAAAAAABH4/WOUMrX4b1UY/s400/farmjuly201109.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628575463252441474" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span><div>Things really like to grow here! It is quite a joy to walk around our little farm and see things thriving. I can't say we've really put in that many hours of labor, either. We've used some older-than-the-hills seeds (5 years old in some cases) so even when things germinate I've been excited. Hurray for low standards! That's some napa above, with a lone green cabbage plant and some Red Russian kale.</div><div><br /></div><div>I have two gardens growing, one up by the house where the previous owner had a garden and a plot in the corner of our 3 acre tilled area that was in corn/soybeans in years past. </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wdlUeIW2CXY/Thy3i_1G3QI/AAAAAAAABHo/qw9sFEd2-wA/s400/farmjuly201111.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628575446183894274" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div>This is the plot by the house, any bare area you see is where I am expanding for next year. We just planted buckwheat in these areas to act as a ground cover and to add fertility. I wanted to avoid planting in sod. My vision is to make this into a large asparagus and raspberry patch. We got quite a bit of asparagus out of the existing row that has just in the past week gone into the huge healthy fern stage.<div><br /></div><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pwjuyz6Ae-U/Thy3jMydeOI/AAAAAAAABHw/B3AVPKtHMS4/s400/farmjuly201110.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628575449662453986" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></span>I started tomato plants in St. Paul, and my in-laws had some extra plants, so I now have over 40 tomato plants growing here. I might have to take some trips to the farmers' market this fall to get rid of some of them, as they all look awesome, even the pathetic 2" plants I transplanted are a good 3 feet tall already and full of blooms and little green fruits. <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pRoIsmoznfU/Thy33FwzsdI/AAAAAAAABIQ/U980nfBWk3c/s1600/farmjuly201106.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tdMJQXH8q9o/Thy3kYDCg0I/AAAAAAAABIA/OMy5lcBvock/s400/farmjuly201108.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628575469864649538" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><div>We've been eating basil like crazy. And the purslane. Wow, can't eat all of that. Purslane is a "weed" that is super tasty and high in omega-3s. It also looks prehistoric, which is fun. </div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ikw4tLGLNvA/Thy3TphKQVI/AAAAAAAABHg/zKFYgb3RRkU/s400/farmjuly201105.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628575182496612690" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 226px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">The other garden plot has been put mostly into buckwheat but we saved this corner for some personal vegetables. We've had some pressure from cucumber beetles - oh how I hate them - and also deer, but I think we've gotten past the point of no return and will end up with some bounty. I think our first zucchini will be ready to harvest tomorrow and we're going to have buckets of green beans in no time. And beets. We had a lot of beet seed. </span></span></div></span></span></div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pRoIsmoznfU/Thy33FwzsdI/AAAAAAAABIQ/U980nfBWk3c/s1600/farmjuly201106.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pRoIsmoznfU/Thy33FwzsdI/AAAAAAAABIQ/U980nfBWk3c/s400/farmjuly201106.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628575791373857234" /></a>A rogue red lettuce seed made it into the green beans. Sneaky fellow.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-foSJpXFbJe8/Thy3kx2krhI/AAAAAAAABII/g7AaXyHjEPQ/s1600/farmjuly201107.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-foSJpXFbJe8/Thy3kx2krhI/AAAAAAAABII/g7AaXyHjEPQ/s400/farmjuly201107.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628575476791684626" /></a>Orange day lilies are everywhere right now. I look out any window and see them so I feel I need to coordinate my paint colors and fabric choices.<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2AbbU7d3Xk0/Thy3TXjmJNI/AAAAAAAABHY/D2La6js1aXA/s1600/farmjuly201104.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2AbbU7d3Xk0/Thy3TXjmJNI/AAAAAAAABHY/D2La6js1aXA/s400/farmjuly201104.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628575177674990802" /></a>Ahhhh, blue skies after a day of rain. <br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gKlGOEXbKcM/Thy3TB1YMNI/AAAAAAAABHQ/2nipH4DYjDg/s1600/farmjuly201103.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gKlGOEXbKcM/Thy3TB1YMNI/AAAAAAAABHQ/2nipH4DYjDg/s400/farmjuly201103.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628575171843993810" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YK0WHRrAZ3Q/Thy3SuQOamI/AAAAAAAABHI/qyhBFuOEl3E/s1600/farmjuly201102.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YK0WHRrAZ3Q/Thy3SuQOamI/AAAAAAAABHI/qyhBFuOEl3E/s400/farmjuly201102.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628575166587890274" /></a>This is our chicken coop, the old milk house attached to the barn. We've let the chicks out for a 1/2 hour or so, but we're worried the dog and cats will bother them, so I suppose we'll have to build a fence. Wonk wonk wonk....<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Bbq_LQCt8cg/Thy3SMPyN9I/AAAAAAAABHA/X40pXJsVTfE/s1600/farmjuly201101.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Bbq_LQCt8cg/Thy3SMPyN9I/AAAAAAAABHA/X40pXJsVTfE/s400/farmjuly201101.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628575157459236818" /></a>Green!!!<br /><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div></div>Katyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04495552422575832925noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3514592923668486134.post-67132548609638378522011-06-27T14:42:00.004-05:002011-06-27T14:58:48.771-05:00Chest Adornment<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YC-wdhp1TKo/Tgjg5yZIWhI/AAAAAAAABG4/Vv018orIZ28/s1600/necklacesuminagashi5.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 247px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YC-wdhp1TKo/Tgjg5yZIWhI/AAAAAAAABG4/Vv018orIZ28/s400/necklacesuminagashi5.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622991418156407314" /></a><br /><div>For about a year I've been tinkering with the idea of necklaces. Well, the broader idea is to branch out from book arts while still holding on to the fundamental skills I've acquired while making all of the hundreds of books I've made in the past few years. I've done some collage items (still to be extensively tweaked before a reveal), and I've done some things that fall under the category of jewelry. Some necklaces have finally made there way into my <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/swirlingtree?ref=seller_info&amp;view_type=gallery">shop</a> and I've officially settled into a production routine for making more. To me, this is the most fun part of Swirling Tree, the moment when I am happy with something and ready to go into production mode.</div><div><br /></div><div>Some of these new pieces are pendants, some are mini (and I mean teeny tiny) leather journals and some are miniature versions of my brag books (like a locket).</div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sr-RC8WQyKM/TgjgJgKCCUI/AAAAAAAABGw/ka1aeH_VpfU/s1600/necklaceredturquoise1.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sr-RC8WQyKM/TgjgJgKCCUI/AAAAAAAABGw/ka1aeH_VpfU/s400/necklaceredturquoise1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622990588627519810" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RbrCGaZDknU/TgjgJBA-1aI/AAAAAAAABGo/otLkNbCADdM/s1600/locketbluesepia3.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 309px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RbrCGaZDknU/TgjgJBA-1aI/AAAAAAAABGo/otLkNbCADdM/s400/locketbluesepia3.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622990580268062114" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zaXtzRodG2Y/TgjgIRaUTII/AAAAAAAABGg/_RGutxZnatk/s1600/lockettealorange4.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 384px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zaXtzRodG2Y/TgjgIRaUTII/AAAAAAAABGg/_RGutxZnatk/s400/lockettealorange4.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622990567489424514" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vQlWtKrFzyQ/TgjgIHghhHI/AAAAAAAABGY/ylPMfaI2p9c/s1600/necklaceorange5.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vQlWtKrFzyQ/TgjgIHghhHI/AAAAAAAABGY/ylPMfaI2p9c/s400/necklaceorange5.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622990564831102066" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GL3j8H6DiNg/TgjgH_GuGHI/AAAAAAAABGQ/2pNd1OFlFnU/s1600/necklacebookleathertiny5.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 335px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GL3j8H6DiNg/TgjgH_GuGHI/AAAAAAAABGQ/2pNd1OFlFnU/s400/necklacebookleathertiny5.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622990562575390834" /></a><br /><br /><div><br /></div><div>All of the new jewelry items in my shop are pretty affordable, everything is under $30 and some just $12. Eventually I plan on making some a little more high-end with fancier jewelry hardware, etc. But hey, who doesn't like a good deal on a clever casual necklace?</div><div><br /></div><div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>Katyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04495552422575832925noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3514592923668486134.post-25691834748478471282011-06-23T11:46:00.000-05:002011-06-23T11:47:28.486-05:00Crappie<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pjpqhbvQ4e0/TgNuAazd2hI/AAAAAAAABGI/zibS4zea39o/s1600/crappie.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pjpqhbvQ4e0/TgNuAazd2hI/AAAAAAAABGI/zibS4zea39o/s400/crappie.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621457713362754066" /></a><br />Freddy caught a crappie!<div><br /></div>Katyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04495552422575832925noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3514592923668486134.post-46019585108936954862011-06-18T07:54:00.003-05:002011-06-18T08:15:05.137-05:00Local Frittata<div><br /></div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--5aQlfwxS8M/TfygJ2z1XoI/AAAAAAAABGA/TmP-_lMlx6E/s1600/springfrittata.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--5aQlfwxS8M/TfygJ2z1XoI/AAAAAAAABGA/TmP-_lMlx6E/s400/springfrittata.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619542526243724930" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--5aQlfwxS8M/TfygJ2z1XoI/AAAAAAAABGA/TmP-_lMlx6E/s1600/springfrittata.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a></div></div><div>We have eggs up the wazoo right now. Our chicks aren't producing yet (October), but we've found some local sources so I loaded up. </div> <div>There's a (non certified) organic farm very close to us, <a href="http://www.locavorenetwork.com/profile/windjammer-farm">Windjammer Farm</a> where I bought a few dozen. These were added to the two Larry Schultz cartons of eggs that I actually found at Cash Wise. My MIL brought me some "Fertile Eggs," from Fertile, MN then Freddy and I visited the Mankato Farmers' Market on Thursday (which seems like a decent market). I bought some eggs and frozen OG chickens as well as some produce -like a quart of homegrown strawberries for only $4! It was a good trip. In general, I'm still in the exploring stage of moving and, so far, that is really focused around food sources. I still need to make it to the new St. Peter Food Co-op. Maybe today if it rains. </div><div><br /></div><div>I'm considering selling some produce next year at the Mankato Farmers' Market, so I talked it up a bit with the vendors there. It has been a tough spring for growers which makes me want to put up some high tunnels and do things with a little more control over the elements. I'm still deciding what it is I'm going to plant next year. I'm going to see how things grow here, and so far, everything is coming along wonderfully in my garden plots. That said, there is plenty of time for disasters to arise this growing season. Weather and bugs being the most feared culprits. And deer.</div><div><br /></div><div>In the meantime I'm enjoying my food searching. Suddenly, I found myself eating an almost 100% local frittata for lunch yesterday which must mean the season is moving along. Eggs from Windjammer, asparagus and steamed nettles from here, green onions from the farmers' market, and cheese from Wisconsin. Not bad! If only I had used some local butter instead of olive oil. </div><div><br /></div><div>Aside from frittatas we are eating eggs as swedish pancakes, egg tortilla wraps, and egg salad in addition to our scrambled dishes for breakfasts. We will have them taken care of in no time. </div>Katyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04495552422575832925noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3514592923668486134.post-59410666541989608752011-06-15T10:02:00.004-05:002011-06-15T20:55:58.590-05:00Farm Fun<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zOcdI-oiy5A/TfjMXFTBojI/AAAAAAAABF4/9q7nT-dE9bw/s1600/farmtractor05.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sEk3Opa6iwQ/TfjKDlISQ1I/AAAAAAAABFw/xjUvMS8AEqs/s1600/farmtractor12.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sEk3Opa6iwQ/TfjKDlISQ1I/AAAAAAAABFw/xjUvMS8AEqs/s400/farmtractor12.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618462697999975250" /></a>Our new kubota tractor! It is awesome. We went for a brand new diesel compact tractor with a 60" deck, huge snow blower attachment, and a cultivator (not a tiller). I don't know who is the biggest fan around here. My mom says it is the the "Cadillac of mowers."<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HmRS6C7zWdo/TfjKCN41MSI/AAAAAAAABFo/QQ7P1V5O894/s1600/farmtractor07.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HmRS6C7zWdo/TfjKCN41MSI/AAAAAAAABFo/QQ7P1V5O894/s400/farmtractor07.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618462674581270818" /></a>Madi and Freddy at the Lake Hanska beach, about 1 mile from our house. We can walk there through the woods.<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MFseU1_m54I/TfjKBr25eFI/AAAAAAAABFg/2qR3wBNQC10/s1600/farmtractor06.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MFseU1_m54I/TfjKBr25eFI/AAAAAAAABFg/2qR3wBNQC10/s400/farmtractor06.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618462665446357074" /></a>Gma Margie from Anguilla visited this week with her sister Vinette, Peter's parents and sister, our nephew Aksel, and Vinette's son Lyle. It was a little chilly compared to the Caribbean but it was a fun visit.<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8ou3afQfomg/TfjKBOTyfQI/AAAAAAAABFY/b0-4Ifxh3sQ/s1600/farmtractor02.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8ou3afQfomg/TfjKBOTyfQI/AAAAAAAABFY/b0-4Ifxh3sQ/s400/farmtractor02.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618462657514470658" /></a>Roz and Aksel looking down at the paddle boaters about to shove off.<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LsayeKfqT1U/TfjJ76CoPVI/AAAAAAAABFQ/5liNC_yZU1U/s1600/farmtractor01.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 327px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LsayeKfqT1U/TfjJ76CoPVI/AAAAAAAABFQ/5liNC_yZU1U/s400/farmtractor01.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618462566174440786" /></a><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zOcdI-oiy5A/TfjMXFTBojI/AAAAAAAABF4/9q7nT-dE9bw/s400/farmtractor05.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618465232075727410" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div>Katyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04495552422575832925noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3514592923668486134.post-55071948636829789062011-06-07T16:20:00.002-05:002011-06-07T16:36:49.428-05:00Hot Baking<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AR-ntPG6RjA/Te6ZzDS22iI/AAAAAAAABFI/j8qcOYVCcXk/s1600/fire.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 385px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AR-ntPG6RjA/Te6ZzDS22iI/AAAAAAAABFI/j8qcOYVCcXk/s400/fire.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615594887714363938" /></a><br />I would like to bake my favorite cake but I'm wondering if it's strange to turn on the oven when it is 100 degrees outside. I might wait for the morning when the temp will be down 30 or so points. <div><br /></div><div>The only reason I'm even <i>considering</i> baking is because we have central air for the first time ever. When we started farm shopping almost a year ago Peter was choosing listings that were extreme fixer-uppers, and I told him I wanted a house a little more...fixed already. </div><div><br /></div><div>"Like what?" He asked</div><div><br /></div><div>"Central air would be nice." I replied.</div><div><br /></div><div>"Central air? How much is central air? How do you install central air???" He exclaimed, not realizing that it's not THAT big of a deal. But today it does feel like a big deal, because when I open the door it feels like a giant hair dryer is blowing across the county. Oh, those poor little plants trying to survive out there!</div><div><br /></div><div>So, the cake I want to make is <a href="http://smittenkitchen.com/2010/02/walnut-jam-cake/">this one</a>. Again. It's my favorite and so easy to substitute for gluten free. I'm thinking I will pair it with a tart rhubarb sauce and some fresh whipped cream tomorrow for a visit from my Mom (happy belated birthday!) and Grandma. I'm anxious for visitors...feeling like we're in the boondocks a little bit after living in the big city. Hint hint to anyone reading this post that wants to come visit us!</div>Katyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04495552422575832925noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3514592923668486134.post-3687806622971815912011-06-04T16:43:00.005-05:002011-06-05T21:27:32.043-05:00Naked Root Beer Break<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xoFWX7krafQ/TeqqaJC6U4I/AAAAAAAABFA/xb-Dr2PS5bo/s1600/farmfunjune1.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hyHY0K2MmLY/TeqnrFjGewI/AAAAAAAABE4/5-w5RtOaHZc/s1600/farmfunjune2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hyHY0K2MmLY/TeqnrFjGewI/AAAAAAAABE4/5-w5RtOaHZc/s400/farmfunjune2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614484244136360706" /></a><br /><div>We are officially back into the good old fashioned farm fun business!</div><div><br /></div><div>We are able to catch our breath this beautiful Saturday afternoon thanks to all of the folks who helped us move and start some home improvement projects during the past two weeks.</div><div><br /></div><div>Thanks, people!</div><div><br /></div><div>We've torn out carpet, sanded floors, removed wallpaper, taken down paneling and even a wall. There are new chicks peeping in the barn. We've been harvesting rhubarb, nettles, and asparagus. There is a garden plot with new raspberry bushes, chard, kale, basil, herbs, and tomatoes. There's another garden plot with squash, pumpkins, cucumbers, zucchini, and melons. We have plans to invest in a tractor on Monday. My studio is again up and running, and Peter is studying away for the bar exam. Phew.</div><div><br /></div><div>We are hungry and tired and ready for the next thing. </div><div><br /></div><div>I can see why you're supposed to keep your stress levels down during pregnancy. I have been worn out nearly every day during the past month so I'm hoping things soon get, well, boring. Decisions like which lawn mower to buy are enough to send me over the edge. It's frustrating to "take it easy" when there is so much to do. But wow, even an hour of planting or weeding and I am shot. Freddy and I have been taking lots of breaks, though <i>I</i> haven't had a naked root beer break yet.</div><div><br /></div><div>Chicks!</div><div>Runnings, our local farm store, won't have chicks for that much longer so we decided to just jump right in and buy 12 last weekend. Inside our milk house there are four each of Barred Rock, Aracauna, and Production Red chickens running around in Fredrik's kiddy pool. The plan is to get a coop built (by sectioning off part of the milk house with a little chicken door to the outdoors) this weeked (or next it is seeming).</div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xoFWX7krafQ/TeqqaJC6U4I/AAAAAAAABFA/xb-Dr2PS5bo/s1600/farmfunjune1.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xoFWX7krafQ/TeqqaJC6U4I/AAAAAAAABFA/xb-Dr2PS5bo/s400/farmfunjune1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614487251552195458" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hyHY0K2MmLY/TeqnrFjGewI/AAAAAAAABE4/5-w5RtOaHZc/s1600/farmfunjune2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hyHY0K2MmLY/TeqnrFjGewI/AAAAAAAABE4/5-w5RtOaHZc/s1600/farmfunjune2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hyHY0K2MmLY/TeqnrFjGewI/AAAAAAAABE4/5-w5RtOaHZc/s1600/farmfunjune2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a></div><div>Freddy wasn't 100% about the chicks. Their feet were too "pokey." </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Katyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04495552422575832925noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3514592923668486134.post-12494144631253694912011-04-20T08:13:00.004-05:002011-04-20T08:47:28.017-05:00Tom's Thumbs<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dezw9P3p8yo/Ta7i_rL1XaI/AAAAAAAABEc/8t6qXozrN2E/s1600/seedstarting20112.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-D7nWLpOrZM8/Ta7fubYl0AI/AAAAAAAABEE/dhJK1Fsoh2I/s400/tomsthumbsfgh.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597657375585980418" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">A million months ago I drew some drawings for Mike Van Auken from Forest City, IA. They are now printed in a children's book called , "Tom's Thumbs."</div><div><br /></div><div>It was a fun and challenging project. The biggest challenge for me was finding the time to get into the creative zone. I'm racing around here with a mile-long to-do list every day, sometimes I have 7 0r 8 subcategories of ideas and tasks scrawled into my journal. It's absurd, but things do eventually get finished. </div><div><br /></div><div>The Tom's Thumbs drawings were eventually in the "done" category and then it was just finding the best file formats for blurb.com. Mike used Blurb to publish the book which are for sale at blurb, or contact me and I can hook you up with a 7"x7" paperback copy for $15. </div><div><br /></div><div>You can page through the digital version of the book <a href="http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/2055063">here.</a> (Click on preview the book).</div><div><br /></div><div>HOUSE NEWS!</div><div>We are officially still buying a farm on a lake. We have been jumping through hoops since we are using the USDA Rural Development program for our financing. What a surprise that getting a federal loan for real estate would be so hard! Things are set for May 20th. We're going to work on a few projects for a week then move on the 27th. That seems like a long time to me, which is ridiculous, I know. I should be packing but I still have some work to do in my studio. But really, after that I need to start packing boxes. REALLY.</div><div><br /></div><div>We're also killing some "extra" time by starting some seeds for our big vegetable garden at the farm. </div><div><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rC6HdJ0CH1g/Ta7i_ELybyI/AAAAAAAABEM/vc1rHc1UJuM/s400/seedstarting20113.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597660959950925602" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span><div>Here's my helper with some of our seeds. We reused some produce clamshells from the co-op since we're doing smallish amounts of things. They look nice. Real nice. T'would be nice to get them outside when the snow stops. Groan.</div><div><br /></div><div><u>Lastly, a photo by Fredrik. He also took a picture of his sister, which was a very flashy picture of my shirt that looked like white light, so it didn't make it to the world wide web.</u></div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IHTcSMSkGXo/Ta7i_Zy6xhI/AAAAAAAABEU/OdORIXLBYTk/s1600/seedstarting20111.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IHTcSMSkGXo/Ta7i_Zy6xhI/AAAAAAAABEU/OdORIXLBYTk/s400/seedstarting20111.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597660965752194578" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>Katyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04495552422575832925noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3514592923668486134.post-50992308513601697722011-03-26T21:32:00.004-05:002011-03-26T21:45:26.054-05:00Commissions<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xO7iR0PeYtY/TY6keg7sAvI/AAAAAAAABD0/nah971GdbNU/s1600/albumstars5.jpg"></a><div>I've had a few commissions lately that resulted in some very interesting books. I've said it before, and I'll say it again, commissions are really fun. I love working with other people's visions. It's challenging and I always learn a thing or two.</div><div><br /></div><div>"P" Book: 10x12 coptic bound with collaged P. </div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6uURhj-N0_8/TY6iumhGV8I/AAAAAAAABDs/GqFJvtCmCFs/s1600/Palbum2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6uURhj-N0_8/TY6iumhGV8I/AAAAAAAABDs/GqFJvtCmCFs/s400/Palbum2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588583109110421442" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JFPC-sT2JgU/TY6iuUlIwwI/AAAAAAAABDk/HhlsafI-wa8/s1600/Palbum6.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 378px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JFPC-sT2JgU/TY6iuUlIwwI/AAAAAAAABDk/HhlsafI-wa8/s400/Palbum6.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588583104295518978" /></a>Wish Book for the Clay Coyote Gallery: I used a screw posts for this one, so the pages will be refillable. It's a new binding style. It worked well and I well use it again. The pages are lettered in the upper corner. I used "carbon" paper with the Papyrus font (there logo uses that font) and prismacolor pencils.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0Se5-CgfFe4/TY6ihBT_vLI/AAAAAAAABDc/L7Gm9RRhX2k/s1600/claycoyote1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 201px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0Se5-CgfFe4/TY6ihBT_vLI/AAAAAAAABDc/L7Gm9RRhX2k/s400/claycoyote1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588582875785051314" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-z3fM3eipcRY/TY6ig-5Y46I/AAAAAAAABDU/4KeoiUl5H4g/s1600/claycoyote3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 306px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-z3fM3eipcRY/TY6ig-5Y46I/AAAAAAAABDU/4KeoiUl5H4g/s400/claycoyote3.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588582875136582562" /></a>5x7 Wedding Album: A sweet little guest book for a wedding. I used watercolor pencils for the names on the first page. <div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oxxVenQ-YOs/TY6ig-VktmI/AAAAAAAABDM/7JD5Kcfsjuw/s1600/albumpaige3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 394px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oxxVenQ-YOs/TY6ig-VktmI/AAAAAAAABDM/7JD5Kcfsjuw/s400/albumpaige3.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588582874986362466" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CDCcG_nczlA/TY6ig0saNqI/AAAAAAAABDE/FeoD1r4WL38/s1600/albumpaige5.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 242px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CDCcG_nczlA/TY6ig0saNqI/AAAAAAAABDE/FeoD1r4WL38/s400/albumpaige5.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588582872397788834" /></a>10x12 Swirl and Star Album: This one was sent off this morning. It was a fun project. I love the heft of the 10x12 books, I use two boards for each cover. Thanks, customers!</div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xO7iR0PeYtY/TY6keg7sAvI/AAAAAAAABD0/nah971GdbNU/s400/albumstars5.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588585031756677874" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px; " /></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5KzEOy0SB8k/TY6igppXxVI/AAAAAAAABC8/oHDlzy4r2Ys/s1600/albumstars2.jpg"></a><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>Katyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04495552422575832925noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3514592923668486134.post-32338278458781462362011-03-23T20:24:00.004-05:002011-03-23T21:03:20.053-05:00March is Lame and Food is Good<div>March is the worst month of the year.<div>It's so long.</div><div>It plays with your emotions.</div><div>The warmish thaws, the jubilation of going on a long leisure walk outside without a winter coat, all that squashed, the next day, with a big dump of snow.</div><div>Depression and hibernation, welcome back.</div><div>Usually Peter starts to beg about moving somewhere warmer in January, I can hold out until March and then I'm the one checking the forecast in, say, Mexico. But really, I would be happy if I could just spend Jan-March there.</div><div>That's all.</div><div>Then we can move back to good ol' Lake Wobegon.</div></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vbLlIaxwQts/TYqkOFJCxsI/AAAAAAAABC0/29GEwLkPDIc/s1600/spring.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 378px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vbLlIaxwQts/TYqkOFJCxsI/AAAAAAAABC0/29GEwLkPDIc/s400/spring.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587458849511753410" /></a>This was just on Saturday!!!<div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lIyJV9FebEQ/TYqjuUwPaFI/AAAAAAAABCk/3A65A31lvVE/s1600/marchfood1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lIyJV9FebEQ/TYqjuUwPaFI/AAAAAAAABCk/3A65A31lvVE/s400/marchfood1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587458303946877010" /></a><br />I refused to leave the house today, so Fredrik and I cooked and baked and painted and colored and puzzled and read and on and on, so many things. It may seem obvious and cliche, but I've recently discovered the creative satisfaction I get from cooking. As days go by and I don't have time or energy to work in my studio I start to feel a little dreary. I then find myself spending more time in the kitchen, and even feel a little upbeat. Even with this weather a pleasant mood came about.<br /><div><br /></div><div>Today we made a yellow cake. Now, I know it's going to sound really pathetic having just talked about how creative I am in the kitchen, but I've had this gluten free Betty Crocker cake mix in my cupboard for over a year and I wasn't about to head out to the grocery store to get any ingredients - and I'm already thinking about depleting our food reserves since we'll be moving in less than 2 months- so that's what we made. Plus, I AM baking with a 3 year old. </div><div><br /></div><div>The cake turned out fine. A little sawdusty, but still reminiscent of "real" box cake mixes (if I can remember correctly back to the last funeral I attended when I was still eating gluten). I think it was all the vanilla. But, despite the lack of great flavor, it had a good texture, and that's a feat with GF.</div><div><br /></div><div>I knew the boxed yellow cake would have to be saved by frosting, and we only have this supposedly healthy sugar in the house (turbinado I think) which seemed not very likely to work. Doesn't one usually use powdered sugar for frosting? I thought about pulverizing the sugar in the cusinart, but didn't want to go to such a length for frosting. Also, we were almost out of butter thanks to the full stick in the cake. </div><div><br /></div><div>So, I heated a double boiler, added about 3/4 cup chocolate chips, a few scoops of peanut butter, and a little whole milk. It was good, actually. And quick. Fredrik helped spread (eat) it and it tasted like melted peanut butter cups. We ate the cake later with banana slices which was really really tasty. </div><div><br /></div><div>For lunch we had another "creative" adventure. Chicken and Rice. Seriously, I'm so darned creative. My little sister was telling me how she makes chicken and rice regularly and I thought, hmmm, I've never made that. I don't know how you are supposed to make it, but I just did it, and it was good and FGH ate it like it was the finest meal ever served in this house (besides raw cake batter).</div><div><br /></div><div>I did it all on the stove top in my beautiful<a href="http://www.claycoyote.com/index.cfm/Spanish-Cazuela-Flameware-Baking-Dish/n/fuseaction/product.display/product_id/365/"> Cazuela pot from the Clay Coyote</a>, which, may I say was a huge splurge that I do not regret at all. It's pottery for the stove top, hello! It just makes food taste better. Especially things like chicken and rice. I mean, really, cooking in metal or glass? Try artisnal flameware pottery. </div><div><br /></div><div>I'm guessing most chicken and rice recipes ask for some sort of canned soup. I used vegetable boullion instead. And brown rice. I'm not a stickler for brown rice, but it was good here. I threw in some chopped onions and celery and dried herbs, than 4 chicken breasts and later, with about 15 minutes to go, I topped it all with broccoli. Last time I made it I covered it with carrot sticks. I think we will get four meals out of this and it was one pot, pretty much no mess at all.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wI3HuQZScNA/TYqjuiDwpgI/AAAAAAAABCs/bBy1WnFLBrc/s400/marchfood2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587458307518408194" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 245px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>Katyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04495552422575832925noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3514592923668486134.post-6506529578667492082011-03-12T21:03:00.002-06:002011-03-12T21:21:51.871-06:00Farm to City to Farm (and Lake)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BrE1IAGfw84/TXw4FUYMePI/AAAAAAAABCc/OAcuPjkNsJ8/s1600/hanskabarn.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 262px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BrE1IAGfw84/TXw4FUYMePI/AAAAAAAABCc/OAcuPjkNsJ8/s400/hanskabarn.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5583399302053263602" /></a><br /><div><br /></div>It's official! <div><br /></div><div>We are moving back to the country. <div><br /><div>In two months we'll be packing up for farm living outside of Hanska, MN, just 14 miles south of New Ulm. The past two weeks have been a blur of driving, researching, planning, strategizing, budgeting, and stressing. This is Peter and my third real estate purchase in our 9 years together, and I think we fretted the most about this one. Getting older makes you wiser and more of a worrier, I guess.</div><div><br /></div><div>So, yeah. </div><div><br /></div><div>This summer we'll be:</div><div>1. Moving to a new community</div><div>2. Starting a new job (Peter)</div><div>3. Planning a new farm business</div><div>4. Having a Baby</div><div>5. Living without any income for 3 months</div></div></div><div><br /></div><div>This new place is just gorgeous, 10 acres on a lake! The house is 115 years old, but it's been updated (to a point). There is plenty of room for home improvement projects, but nothing major. I'm thinking a few coats of paint, a few less layers of wallpaper, and removal of (cat) hairy carpet will make everything just dandy. </div><div><br /></div><div>As for the outdoors, I'm going to get organic certification started (there is a 3 year transition period), some perennials in the ground, and some chickens in the barn. But that's it. Well, a big garden for ourselves. But really, we'll have too much going on to do more. But it would be nice to put up a hoop house. Oh, lord. </div><div><br /></div>Katyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04495552422575832925noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3514592923668486134.post-25618074874001393982011-02-03T15:23:00.006-06:002011-02-03T19:11:53.588-06:00New Listings and French Country Kitchens<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0gWE5hKaLVE/TUtRVuHbWiI/AAAAAAAABCU/T0LQmTjTDbc/s1600/yellowbrag3.jpg"></a><div style="text-align: left;">At last I have put a few more things into my <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/swirlingtree">shop</a>! Aye!</div><div><br /></div><div>Nothing too exciting, some brag books -which I had said I would make no more of, yes, but they are so highly sought after that I had to churn some out. Though I probably won't become a millionaire (please read that word like Regis used to say it) they are quite enjoyable to make. The sewing aspect actually gets my sewing machine out, which I love, and it continues to sit out since I have a creative urge to work on other projects big and small (ADD?). <div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15.8333px; color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0gWE5hKaLVE/TUtRVuHbWiI/AAAAAAAABCU/T0LQmTjTDbc/s400/yellowbrag3.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569634797772036642" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 203px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15.8333px; color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div>I also have a couple more leather book keychains in my shop which would make a good little valentine gift. </div><div><br /></div><div>In may spare time I have been house hunting with Peter. We have looked at quite a few farmhouses between New Ulm and St. Peter. All of them are very different making this project super frustrating and exhausting. It seems farmsteads can go many ways. </div><div><br /></div><div>1. They can remain somewhat close to how they began, a humble home with a big kitchen and really thin windows. </div><div><br /></div><div>2. They can get torn down by a tornado and a new efficient (and expensive) home will be set in it's place. </div><div><br /></div><div>3. They can be remodeled so many times that you don't know what the heck is going on anymore. Some homes are houses added to other houses.</div><div><br /></div><div>They're all different distances from nearby towns which makes them even harder to compare. </div><div><br /></div><div>So, I have been focusing mostly on the land since I hope to once again make some money growing things from the ground. One place has the most darling chicken coop which immediately makes me want to move in. Fredrik needs to be chasing chickens. </div><div><br /></div><div>Some of the homes, the ones in the categories not involving a tornado, are a bit of blank slate as far as decorating which jars my brain out of living-in-a-rental mode and into obsessively looking at "French Country" websites. </div><div><br /></div><div>I was very happy to today figure out that "French Country" is my home decor style of choice (I have a category!). It took many looks at Ikea, Home Depot, and other such sites before I figured out French Country. I just don't love modern and modern just looks strange in an old farmhouse, I think. Plus, the few pieces of furniture we now have (thanks, mom!) will fit right into this genre. </div><div><br /></div><div>I'm really jumping the gun by researching flooring and heating systems, but, I figured the time will soon be upon us when these decisions will be necessary and I will try not to be overwhelmed. Plus, it's fun. </div><div><br /></div><div> Flooring! I looked through all these options on the home depot site, just to realize that anything I like is about $7/sq. foot. Yikes. Then I was brought back to our home in Superior where we stripped the floor down, layer by layer, staple by freaking staple, and it was a lovely wood floor. Better yet, I LOVE the painted floor look so this is what I will opt for if the opportunity arrises. Though French Country floors are usually stone or tile, I can't afford that, and painted wood is also very popular with furniture, so why not floors?</div><div><br /></div><div>Example from this <a href="http://www.designspongeonline.com/2010/09/before-after-camilas-kitchen-floor-andrews-remodel.html">Design Sponge before and after</a>:</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://www.designspongeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/camila_after.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 475px; height: 612px; " /></span></div><div>I would live here, yes. I love the ceiling, and chandelier, and fireplace, and the table, though I would probably opt for an island since it's a good height for...cooking.</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0gWE5hKaLVE/TUsmJC0MnGI/AAAAAAAABCE/sEfePuxqzDs/s400/frenchkitchen1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569587300990229602" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 350px; height: 288px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">And here for sure. Pots must hang. Plants, wood, wine...</span></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0gWE5hKaLVE/TUsm6cyVREI/AAAAAAAABCM/nU2kNYpm45k/s400/frenchkitchen11.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569588149775320130" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 313px; height: 400px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">and here (in Provence) with the herbs and dried things, thick butcher block, bottles upon bottles of oils and vinegars, and that wood under the island - is that liming? I always like that. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://www.french-country-decor-guide.com/image-files/french-country-kitchen1.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 405px; height: 410px; " /></span></div></div><div>French Country decorating philosophy requires the kitchen to be as big as possible, since life revolves around cooking and eating, and you are either cooking, eating, or sitting in the kitchen trying to be close to the action of someone else's cooking. Cooking pots, pottery, ingredients, etc. are also in plain view most of the time, for ease of use. And, to show off your fancy stuff. Agreeable!</div>Katyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04495552422575832925noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3514592923668486134.post-69652446929206813242011-01-13T10:31:00.003-06:002011-01-13T11:26:09.262-06:00Good Gravy<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0gWE5hKaLVE/TS81V051eHI/AAAAAAAABB4/EzeLc8UzWqw/s1600/januarystilllife.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 269px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0gWE5hKaLVE/TS81V051eHI/AAAAAAAABB4/EzeLc8UzWqw/s400/januarystilllife.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561722713920600178" /></a><br /><div><br /></div>Every time I open up my computer I stare at my blog, and if I have to look at that photo of Santa for another week I think I might go crazy. Is that a good enough reason to type a paragraph or two? No. But here goes. Out with 2010 already.<div><br /></div><div>January is the new year and my birthday month, so even when I try to belittle the marker of the changing calendar year and be somewhat against the notion of making resolutions I still seem to always have a bit of a reflective and planning-ahead-for-the-future type of month. </div><div><br /></div><div>I had an exciting and prosperous year with Swirling Tree. I created a lot of work and I don't have much left in my inventory. I had some good shows in the summer, fall, and winter, including an impromptu little event in the Mpls skyway in December which was a lot of fun. </div><div><br /></div><div>Etsy was busy and I'm thankful for all of my customers. </div><div><br /></div><div> Good stuff. </div><div><br /></div><div> I'm taking a little breather now, mostly since I don't really have the time and energy to work. I am playing around with some new (non-book form) work and I'm trying out some other techniques but my stress level has gone down to about a zero so I would have to say I'm not super motivated. I'm spending more time cleaning the house and trying to reorganize all of our stuff. Where did all come from? This house is so small!</div><div><br /></div><div>Above that we're house hunting and I'm toying with some farm-type endeavors for after we move back to rural America. I'm planning on attending the <a href="http://www.mosesorganic.org/conference.html">MOSES</a> conference in February, a great place for farmer types to learn new things and congregate. More on the farm ideas later. They aren't even quite half-baked yet, more like an eighth baked.</div><div><br /></div><div>House hunting is miserable. I'm guessing many more listings will be coming about as we near spring, but if anyone has a 10 acre or so parcel of land with a decent home on it let me know!</div><div><br /></div><div> </div><div><br /></div>Katyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04495552422575832925noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3514592923668486134.post-90840896852256206822010-12-07T16:06:00.004-06:002010-12-07T16:35:46.963-06:00Santa.<div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0gWE5hKaLVE/TP6wl_aE12I/AAAAAAAABBQ/-wBCknnZuvk/s400/santa2010.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548065957689481058" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 316px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div>Fredrik met Santa at the Forest City Stockade Pioneer Christmas and it was pretty reminiscent of last year's visit, but this time he shouted " 'Lectric A-tar!" <a href="http://www.creativekidstuff.com/rock-star-guitar.html">This</a> is what he wants for Christmas, and boy, he really really wants it. I'm a little nervous that he isn't going to like any of his other gifts until he gets this one, but he has to wait for Santa to bring it... We've been trying to use the whole "making a list and checking it twice" when he is misbehaving but he just gets really hyped up about Santa. The other day I sat with him while he tried (for over an hour) to fall asleep and asked him what was wrong. He told me that he was too excited about Santa and presents to sleep. I think that was on Dec. 2nd. This poor kid isn't going to get any sleep during Christmas week. AND, I'm getting pretty tired of talking about Santa.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0gWE5hKaLVE/TP6wm_ozVnI/AAAAAAAABBo/DXVi3jvITsg/s1600/christmasbaking201011.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0gWE5hKaLVE/TP6wm_ozVnI/AAAAAAAABBo/DXVi3jvITsg/s400/christmasbaking201011.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548065974931117682" /></a>On Thanksgiving Day my aunt set the stage for lefse making AND gluten free lefse making. Here's my big sister Amy rolling some of it. It went ok. I really didn't do a great job with the recipe. I forgot my potato ricer (which has play-dough stuck in it) and then misread the part about chilling the mixture before adding the TWO CUPS of heavy cream. Still, it rolled out well. Transferring it to the griddle was a challenge, without gluten it just broke where it hung from the lefse stick. Still, we came out with a pile of decent looking pieces. The texture was pretty doughy. It was like flattened dough that was warmed on the outsides. Even with butter and sugar it tasted pretty weird. Then, it seemed to congeal back into a ball of dough in my stomach. I thought it might be better after it chilled, but, alas, it became the merry treat of some dogs that snuck into the box where it was being stored in my in-laws chilly garage. Oh well, maybe I'll try it again in the coming weeks.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0gWE5hKaLVE/TP6wmhgJA0I/AAAAAAAABBg/8mVWyTI3GxI/s1600/christmasbaking20102.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 344px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0gWE5hKaLVE/TP6wmhgJA0I/AAAAAAAABBg/8mVWyTI3GxI/s400/christmasbaking20102.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548065966841725762" /></a>Next on the list, macaroons. I used <a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/recipe/coconut-macaroons">this</a> recipe from Martha. Apparently they are called Fraser Bells, as real macaroon are those little egg-white fluffed meringue sandwich cookies. I like these. I don't know if I used this method last year, but sweetened condensed milk certainly made this recipe easy and tasty. Freddy helped, he made some mini cookies and thought of adding sprinkles. He loves sprinkles.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0gWE5hKaLVE/TP6wmEzm_tI/AAAAAAAABBY/S8J0bpFnB44/s1600/christmasbaking20101.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 371px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0gWE5hKaLVE/TP6wmEzm_tI/AAAAAAAABBY/S8J0bpFnB44/s400/christmasbaking20101.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548065959138754258" /></a>Thirdly, we tried toffee. Here Peter is the designated stirrer. I didn't have a candy thermometer, but Target had this deep-fat-fryer/candy thermometer that I decided would be pretty necessary in making candy. It burned a little because of the spot under the (very large) thermometer not really allowing stirring to occur right there. The slightly burned flavor is delicious, as are the almonds, chocolate chips, and pecans. This treat is hiding in the basement in a sealed tupperware. The caramel/toffee mixture was not adequate in volume to cover the pan, so I think I will do a 1 1/2 batch next time. <div><br /></div><div>We get our tree soon which is exciting and space-consuming. </div><div><br /></div><div>Also, I have decided to run a last minute pre-holiday sale. Well, it will probably be going on post-holiday as well. With coupon code "swirling2010" you will get 10% off your order! Yay! I will do another post about it later since this is at the end of a very wordy post. I have done some etsy shopping of my own and am excited to wrap up all the goodies being delivered to my door.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>Katyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04495552422575832925noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3514592923668486134.post-62459957632977922412010-11-23T13:50:00.003-06:002010-11-23T13:59:15.336-06:00MEGA SALEFREE SHIPPING on all items this Black Friday-Cyber Monday.<div><div><br /></div><div>That's the 26th-29th.</div><div><br /></div><div>I hope to get all of my work into my shop by then, but these next few days are jam-packed with the holiday rush at the co-op, pretending to be a woman involved in a Porsche lawsuit for a mock trial, lots of driving in bad weather, holiday prepping...and of course, Thanksgiving.</div><div><br /></div><div>I really couldn't fit much more into this week, so I think I will just keep moving forward and hope for the best! No worries!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>Katyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04495552422575832925noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3514592923668486134.post-59599188287065345712010-11-19T20:30:00.002-06:002010-11-19T20:35:16.671-06:00TreasuryI just figured out how to include a tiny version of an etsy treasury in my blog. If you have not used the etsy treasury function yet, you can try it <a href="http://www.etsy.com/treasury/">here</a>. It's a little hard to just browse etsy sometimes. When you are shopping in a real-life store it's fun to just saunter around, but etsy is just so big and it's hard to think of keywords for searches all the time. Treasuries are made my etsy users. I was lucky to be included in this fun treasury today (you can click on any item to bring you to Etsy):<br /><br /> <h2 style=" font-size:16px; font-family:sans-serif; margin-left: 10px; "> <a style=" color:#333333; text-decoration: none; " onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'" href="http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4ce6e5700ba36d91e22c9cbd"> 'future is' </a> by <a style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); text-decoration: none; " onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'" href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/RedBracelet"> RedBracelet </a> </h2> <h2 style=" font-size:16px; font-family:sans-serif; margin-left: 10px; "> dark<br /> </h2> <table style=" border-spacing: 8px; width:auto; border-collapse: separate; line-height:19px; "> <tbody><tr> <td style=" border:1px solid #ECECEC; padding: 6px; text-align:left; " height="110px" width="110px"> <a style=" text-decoration: none; " href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/59278763" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> <img style=" border:none; padding:0px; " src="http://ny-image2.etsy.com/il_170x135.184351613.jpg" width="110px" /> <br /> </a> <a style=" text-decoration: none; " href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/59278763" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> <span style=" ;font-family:sans-serif;font-size:7px;color:#666666;"> La Nube Necklace </span> </a> <br /> <div style=" font-size:7px; font-family:sans-serif; float:left; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "> <a style=" text-decoration: none; color:#B2B2B2; " href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/TheAngryWeather" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> TheAngryWeathe... </a> </div> <div style=" color:#78C042; font-size:7px; font-family:sans-serif; float:right; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "> $55.00 </div> </td> <td style=" border:1px solid #ECECEC; padding: 6px; text-align:left; " height="110px" width="110px"> <a style=" text-decoration: none; " href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/28420095" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> <img style=" border:none; padding:0px; " src="http://ny-image2.etsy.com/il_170x135.82026855.jpg" width="110px" /> <br /> </a> <a style="text-decoration: none; " href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/28420095" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> <span style=" ;font-family:sans-serif;font-size:7px;color:#666666;"> Vintage Porcelain O... </span> </a> <br /> <div style=" font-size:7px; font-family:sans-serif; float:left; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "> <a style=" text-decoration: none; color:#B2B2B2; " href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/uncommonvintage" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> uncommonvintag... </a> </div> <div style=" color:#78C042; font-size:7px; font-family:sans-serif; float:right; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "> $16.00 </div> </td> <td style=" border:1px solid #ECECEC; padding: 6px; text-align:left; " height="110px" width="110px"> <a style="text-decoration: none; " href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/58420095" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> <img style=" border:none; padding:0px; " src="http://ny-image0.etsy.com/il_170x135.181475322.jpg" width="110px" /> <br /> </a> <a style=" text-decoration: none; " href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/58420095" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> <span style=" ;font-family:sans-serif;font-size:7px;color:#666666;"> Trick or Treat // R... </span> </a> <br /> <div style=" font-size:7px; font-family:sans-serif; float:left; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "> <a style=" text-decoration: none; color:#B2B2B2; " href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/SpectacularStuff" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> SpectacularStu... </a> </div> <div style=" color:#78C042; font-size:7px; font-family:sans-serif; float:right; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "> $1.50 </div> </td> <td style=" border:1px solid #ECECEC; padding: 6px; text-align:left; " height="110px" width="110px"> <a style=" text-decoration: none; " href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/51581771" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> <img style=" border:none; padding:0px; " src="http://ny-image0.etsy.com/il_170x135.158596166.jpg" width="110px" /> <br /> </a> <a style=" text-decoration: none; " href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/51581771" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> <span style=" ;font-family:sans-serif;font-size:7px;color:#666666;"> Rich Brown Woven Ba... </span> </a> <br /> <div style=" font-size:7px; font-family:sans-serif; float:left; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "> <a style=" text-decoration: none; color:#B2B2B2; " href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/nowvintage" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> nowvintage </a> </div> <div style=" color:#78C042; font-size:7px; font-family:sans-serif; float:right; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "> $12.00 </div> </td> </tr> <tr><td style=" border:1px solid #ECECEC; padding: 6px; text-align:left; " height="110px" width="110px"> <a style=" text-decoration: none; " href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/60776977" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> <img style=" border:none; padding:0px; " src="http://ny-image0.etsy.com/il_170x135.189377122.jpg" width="110px" /> <br /> </a> <a style=" text-decoration: none; " href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/60776977" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> <span style=" ;font-family:sans-serif;font-size:7px;color:#666666;"> Pewter Hammered Chu... </span> </a> <br /> <div style=" font-size:7px; font-family:sans-serif; float:left; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "> <a style=" text-decoration: none; color:#B2B2B2; " href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/LTCreatesJewelry" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> LTCreatesJewel... </a> </div> <div style=" color:#78C042; font-size:7px; font-family:sans-serif; float:right; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "> $29.00 </div> </td> <td style=" border:1px solid #ECECEC; padding: 6px; text-align:left; " height="110px" width="110px"> <a style=" text-decoration: none; " href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/59162556" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> <img style=" border:none; padding:0px; " src="http://ny-image0.etsy.com/il_170x135.184433703.jpg" width="110px" /> <br /> </a> <a style=" text-decoration: none; " href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/59162556" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> <span style=" ;font-family:sans-serif;font-size:7px;color:#666666;"> Autumn Flowers skir... </span> </a> <br /> <div style=" font-size:7px; font-family:sans-serif; float:left; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "> <a style=" text-decoration: none; color:#B2B2B2; " href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/twirlaway" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> twirlaway </a> </div> <div style=" color:#78C042; font-size:7px; font-family:sans-serif; float:right; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "> $14.00 </div> </td> <td style=" border:1px solid #ECECEC; padding: 6px; text-align:left; " height="110px" width="110px"> <a style=" text-decoration: none; " href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/55377053" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> <img style=" border:none; padding:0px; " src="http://ny-image2.etsy.com/il_170x135.171294274.jpg" width="110px" /> <br /> </a> <a style=" text-decoration: none; " href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/55377053" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> <span style=" ;font-family:sans-serif;font-size:7px;color:#666666;"> Romantic OOAK beaut... </span> </a> <br /> <div style=" font-size:7px; font-family:sans-serif; float:left; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "> <a style=" text-decoration: none; color:#B2B2B2; " href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/artefyk" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> artefyk </a> </div> <div style=" color:#78C042; font-size:7px; font-family:sans-serif; float:right; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "> $39.00 </div> </td> <td style=" border:1px solid #ECECEC; padding: 6px; text-align:left; " height="110px" width="110px"> <a style=" text-decoration: none; " href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/55452975" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> <img style=" border:none; padding:0px; " src="http://ny-image3.etsy.com/il_170x135.171546716.jpg" width="110px" /> <br /> </a> <a style=" text-decoration: none; " href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/55452975" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> <span style=" ;font-family:sans-serif;font-size:7px;color:#666666;"> Neckwarmer fingerl... </span> </a> <br /> <div style=" font-size:7px; font-family:sans-serif; float:left; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "> <a style=" text-decoration: none; color:#B2B2B2; " href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/Ayca" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> Ayca </a> </div> <div style=" color:#78C042; font-size:7px; font-family:sans-serif; float:right; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "> $98.00 </div> </td> </tr> <tr><td style=" border:1px solid #ECECEC; padding: 6px; text-align:left; " height="110px" width="110px"> <a style=" text-decoration: none; " href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/61887294" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> <img style=" border:none; padding:0px; " src="http://ny-image2.etsy.com/il_170x135.193105920.jpg" width="110px" /> <br /> </a> <a style=" text-decoration: none; " href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/61887294" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> <span style=" ;font-family:sans-serif;font-size:7px;color:#666666;"> JERSEY SCARF - Scre... </span> </a> <br /> <div style=" font-size:7px; font-family:sans-serif; float:left; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "> <a style=" text-decoration: none; color:#B2B2B2; " href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/sweetharvey" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> sweetharvey </a> </div> <div style=" color:#78C042; font-size:7px; font-family:sans-serif; float:right; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "> $25.00 </div> </td> <td style=" border:1px solid #ECECEC; padding: 6px; text-align:left; " height="110px" width="110px"> <a style=" text-decoration: none; " href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/61684131" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> <img style=" border:none; padding:0px; " src="http://ny-image2.etsy.com/il_170x135.192418078.jpg" width="110px" /> <br /> </a> <a style=" text-decoration: none; " href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/61684131" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> <span style=" ;font-family:sans-serif;font-size:7px;color:#666666;"> Happily Ever After ... </span> </a> <br /> <div style=" font-size:7px; font-family:sans-serif; float:left; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "> <a style=" text-decoration: none; color:#B2B2B2; " href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/Doodlage" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> Doodlage </a> </div> <div style=" color:#78C042; font-size:7px; font-family:sans-serif; float:right; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "> $25.00 </div> </td> <td style=" border:1px solid #ECECEC; padding: 6px; text-align:left; " height="110px" width="110px"> <a style=" text-decoration: none; " href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/58903574" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> <img style=" border:none; padding:0px; " src="http://ny-image2.etsy.com/il_170x135.183097372.jpg" width="110px" /> <br /> </a> <a style=" text-decoration: none; " href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/58903574" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> <span style=" ;font-family:sans-serif;font-size:7px;color:#666666;"> White gold spinner ... </span> </a> <br /> <div style=" font-size:7px; font-family:sans-serif; float:left; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "> <a style=" text-decoration: none; color:#B2B2B2; " href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/tinahdee" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> tinahdee </a> </div> <div style=" color:#78C042; font-size:7px; font-family:sans-serif; float:right; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "> $820.00 </div> </td> <td style=" border:1px solid #ECECEC; padding: 6px; text-align:left; " height="110px" width="110px"> <a style=" text-decoration: none; " href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/49910426" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> <img style=" border:none; padding:0px; " src="http://ny-image3.etsy.com/il_170x135.153008116.jpg" width="110px" /> <br /> </a> <a style=" text-decoration: none; " href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/49910426" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> <span style=" ;font-family:sans-serif;font-size:7px;color:#666666;"> Floral Multicolor B... </span> </a> <br /> <div style=" font-size:7px; font-family:sans-serif; float:left; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "> <a style=" text-decoration: none; color:#B2B2B2; " href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/SchickiMickis" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> SchickiMickis </a> </div> <div style=" color:#78C042; font-size:7px; font-family:sans-serif; float:right; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "> $38.00 </div> </td> </tr> <tr><td style=" border:1px solid #ECECEC; padding: 6px; text-align:left; " height="110px" width="110px"> <a style=" text-decoration: none; " href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/62263094" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> <img style=" border:none; padding:0px; " src="http://ny-image0.etsy.com/il_170x135.194358030.jpg" width="110px" /> <br /> </a> <a style=" text-decoration: none; " href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/62263094" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> <span style=" ;font-family:sans-serif;font-size:7px;color:#666666;"> Repurposed Leather ... </span> </a> <br /> <div style=" font-size:7px; font-family:sans-serif; float:left; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "> <a style=" text-decoration: none; color:#B2B2B2; " href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/swirlingtree" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> swirlingtree </a> </div> <div style=" color:#78C042; font-size:7px; font-family:sans-serif; float:right; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "> $ </div> </td> <td style=" border:1px solid #ECECEC; padding: 6px; text-align:left; " height="110px" width="110px"> <a style=" text-decoration: none; " href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/55455052" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> <img style=" border:none; padding:0px; " src="http://ny-image1.etsy.com/il_170x135.171553286.jpg" width="110px" /> <br /> </a> <a style=" text-decoration: none; " href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/55455052" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> <span style=" ;font-family:sans-serif;font-size:7px;color:#666666;"> Small Silkscreened ... </span> </a> <br /> <div style=" font-size:7px; font-family:sans-serif; float:left; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "> <a style=" text-decoration: none; color:#B2B2B2; " href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/ladylotus" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> ladylotus </a> </div> <div style=" color:#78C042; font-size:7px; font-family:sans-serif; float:right; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "> $22.00 </div> </td> <td style=" border:1px solid #ECECEC; padding: 6px; text-align:left; " height="110px" width="110px"> <a style=" text-decoration: none; " href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/61519527" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> <img style=" border:none; padding:0px; " src="http://ny-image2.etsy.com/il_170x135.191864822.jpg" width="110px" /> <br /> </a> <a style=" text-decoration: none; " href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/61519527" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> <span style=" ;font-family:sans-serif;font-size:7px;color:#666666;"> design handmade dou... </span> </a> <br /> <div style=" font-size:7px; font-family:sans-serif; float:left; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "> <a style=" text-decoration: none; color:#B2B2B2; " href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/onlyforu" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> onlyforu </a> </div> <div style=" color:#78C042; font-size:7px; font-family:sans-serif; float:right; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "> $ </div> </td> <td style=" border:1px solid #ECECEC; padding: 6px; text-align:left; " height="110px" width="110px"> <a style=" text-decoration: none; " href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/61806877" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> <img style=" border:none; padding:0px; " src="http://ny-image0.etsy.com/il_170x135.192835661.jpg" width="110px" /> <br /> </a> <a style=" text-decoration: none; " href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/61806877" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> <span style=" ;font-family:sans-serif;font-size:7px;color:#666666;"> Maine road map--ori... </span> </a> <br /> <div style=" font-size:7px; font-family:sans-serif; float:left; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "> <a style=" text-decoration: none; color:#B2B2B2; " href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/saraheshaw06" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> saraheshaw06 </a> </div> <div style=" color:#78C042; font-size:7px; font-family:sans-serif; float:right; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "> $35.00 </div> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> <p style=" color:#B2B2B2; font-size:10px; font-family:sans-serif; margin-left: 10px; "> Generated using <a href="http://www.whalesharkwebsites.com/tools/treasury.php">Treasury HTML code generator</a> by <a href="http://www.whalesharkwebsites.com/">Whale Shark Websites</a>. </p>Katyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04495552422575832925noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3514592923668486134.post-11299699171073035922010-11-16T11:22:00.003-06:002010-11-16T11:42:39.591-06:00Snow!<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0gWE5hKaLVE/TOLCcRznOxI/AAAAAAAABBE/5ag3xlNmmUw/s1600/banana1.jpg"></a><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0gWE5hKaLVE/TOK-VNjFulI/AAAAAAAABAk/94YYbCPiAuw/s400/newengland11.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540199763242498642" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 308px; height: 400px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">What a pile of snow. Sheesh. It was late this year, but it still shocked all of us weathered Minnesotans. I have to admit, I felt a little trapped and even made a slushy trip to the closest grocery store to get some provisions - as if we didn't have enough food in our house to get through 24 hours. The weather just left me feeling a little murky. I blame the darkness for that, too. No wonder we get into the holiday spirit so early around here, we need some bright lights and merry-making to pull us through. I mean, the snowman photo was taken in the middle of the day and it's pretty dim out there. The endless weather talk on the radio told me that November is the dreariest month. SO, after Christmas we have the bitter cold, yet cheerfully sunny, month of January to look forward to. Until then, it's eggnog time. Wahoo! </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">And shopping time, too!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;">The sale at the Skating Center went well despite the weather. First it was TOO warm and then it was TOO snowy (according to the buzz at the show), but really, there were big crowds almost every day and my load was much lighter when I packed up my goods on Sunday. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;">Still, I really produced a lot of books in the past few months and I spent two hours this morning taking photographs for Etsy. I will be adding an item or three every day for the next few weeks so keep checking by, y'all! </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;">I have some journals to add, and many albums of many sizes. I also made some leather book keychains. And more brag books, which I'm thinking I will soon be done with. I have made hundreds of them and I think that is plenty.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0gWE5hKaLVE/TOK-WP9orCI/AAAAAAAABA8/JWD4STA0YWg/s1600/czechglass1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 284px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0gWE5hKaLVE/TOK-WP9orCI/AAAAAAAABA8/JWD4STA0YWg/s400/czechglass1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540199781070580770" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0gWE5hKaLVE/TOK-VgXulFI/AAAAAAAABA0/4foACkPdwVI/s1600/birdalbum2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 351px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0gWE5hKaLVE/TOK-VgXulFI/AAAAAAAABA0/4foACkPdwVI/s400/birdalbum2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540199768295117906" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0gWE5hKaLVE/TOK-VYSBPqI/AAAAAAAABAs/b0gx-JlFG8c/s1600/redkey2.jpg"></a><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0gWE5hKaLVE/TOK-VYSBPqI/AAAAAAAABAs/b0gx-JlFG8c/s1600/redkey2.jpg"><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 339px; " src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0gWE5hKaLVE/TOK-VYSBPqI/AAAAAAAABAs/b0gx-JlFG8c/s400/redkey2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540199766123691682" /></a></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0gWE5hKaLVE/TOK-VYSBPqI/AAAAAAAABAs/b0gx-JlFG8c/s1600/redkey2.jpg"></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><u><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0gWE5hKaLVE/TOLCcRznOxI/AAAAAAAABBE/5ag3xlNmmUw/s400/banana1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540204282691140370" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 275px; " /></u></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><u><br /></u></span></div>Katyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04495552422575832925noreply@blogger.com0